Sleeperz Hotel Newcastle

A budget hotel with style sounds an oxymoron, but Sleeperz hits the spot. Plus it’s in a good central location, which might not be the glitziest part of town but does conveniently back onto the station. The hotel attracts an engaging cross-section, from weekenders to business folk; families to foreign tourists.

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£39per night

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Location

7/10

On a busy one-way street, three minutes’ walk from Newcastle Central Station, the hotel's surrounded by bars, offices in regenerated buildings and artisan businesses in converted railway arches. It's not the most salubrious of settings, but the city’s historical and cultural sights are within easy walking distance: two minutes to the Castle Keep, five minutes to the Quayside, and 10 minutes to Grey’s Monument or Sage Gateshead concert hall.

Style & character

8/10

What Sleeperz lacks in luxuries, it makes up for with colour and design. The striking, glass-fronted, wedge-shaped building (built on the site of the station’s postal sorting offices) opens directly onto the street; great for people-watching. Inside, the open-plan reception-dining-lounge-area is a bold mix: red, black and mustard walls; funky accent wallpapers; stripy chairs and high stools; and retro armchairs and colourful rugs on pale-wood floors. It’s fun, relaxed and sassy.

Service & facilities

8/10

As its ethos is to cut out the add-ons to keep down room rates, don’t expect too many extras, which are more or less limited to free UK landline calls and free pastries in reception. But full marks for the staff, who stand out for their friendliness and knowledge of the area, as well as their genuine determination to help guests relax or get the most out of their stay. Plus there’s free room service.

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Rooms

7/10

All 99 rooms, over five floors, have the same layout, with oak-effect floors, white walls, colour-block headboards and wall panels. Family and Superior rooms have bunk-beds and extra space respectively.

Compact but not cramped, they’re ergonomically designed – room safe in the bed base, open hanging rails (no wardrobe) – though not suited to lengthy stays. Wedge-shaped bathrooms are squeezed behind opaque glass; care is needed not to soak everything when showering.

Street-side rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, but these often look straight into offices. Rear rooms are great if you like trains (though some lower-level look at a wall) while corner rooms offer the best views and train-spotting vantage points combined. Street and train noise is inevitable; light sleepers should bring earplugs.

Food & drink

7/10

A short and simple all-day menu of crowd-pleasers runs from lighter snacks such as fajita wraps and baguettes to bigger dishes such as steak and fries, Arbroath smokie fishcakes (mains average £9.50), or changing specials such as ‘curry and a pint’ for £11.95. There’s a reasonable drinks choice of wine, bottled beers and spirits.

Breakfast, for a budget hotel, is well above-average including fruit salad, croissants, and cold meats and cheeses as well as a full cooked spread.

Value for money

8/10

Double rooms from £55 midweek and from £89 at weekends, excluding breakfast (£7.95 when booked in advance). Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

The entrance is wheelchair accessible, there two lifts and five accessible rooms with alarms.

Family-friendly?

There are bunk beds in 10 of the rooms, costing an additional £20 per person. Cots are free, as are breakfasts for children aged 12 and under. Plus there’s a children’s menu.